Editor’s note: Most of our ancestors were immigrants coming to this country looking for better lives. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, remember the challenges our ancestors faced.
Alumni News
Director of Music and Worship, Full Time, First United Methodist Church: Corpus Christi, Texas
First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi is seeking a passionate, creative, and spiritually grounded leader to serve as our next Director of Music and Worship. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to shape and lead a vibrant music ministry that enriches worship, nurtures discipleship, and inspires congregational participation.
We are looking for an individual who combines musical excellence with a heart for ministry, someone who can build meaningful relationships, cultivate volunteer involvement, and collaborate closely with clergy, staff, and church members to create worship experiences that glorify God and strengthen our faith community.
About the Role
The Director of Music and Worship reports directly to the Senior Pastor and is responsible for organizing, supervising, and developing a comprehensive music ministry that supports all worship services and special events of the church. Salary Range from $55,000-$70,000 depending on experience.
Key responsibilities include:
• Directing the Chancel Choir and overseeing all choral ministries.
• Recruiting, equipping, and encouraging volunteer singers, instrumentalists, and music leaders.
• Planning and coordinating music for weekly worship services in collaboration with pastoral staff.
• Supervising paid and volunteer music personnel, including accompanists, music associates, and choir leaders.
• Coordinating audio, visual, and worship support elements.
• Planning seasonal and special music programs, concerts, cantatas, and outreach events.
• Serving as a resource for weddings, funerals, and other church celebrations.
• Managing the music ministry budget, library, instruments, and equipment.
• Providing spiritual leadership and fostering a Christ-centered environment for all participants in the music ministry.
Qualifications
Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Music, Sacred Music, or a related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in choral directing and ensemble leadership.
• Ability to lead congregational singing and coordinate vocal and instrumental music for worship.
• Familiarity with audio and visual technology used in worship settings.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, and church leadership.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and vision of First United Methodist Church.
Preferred
• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Sacred Music or a related discipline.
• Experience performing and/or teaching organ, piano, handbells, keyboard, or other instruments.
• Supervisory and administrative experience.
• Knowledge of traditional mainline Protestant worship, liturgy, and hymnody.
• Familiarity with current trends in sacred music and the integration of diverse musical expressions into worship.
Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate is:
• A mature Christian leader with a vibrant faith.
• A gifted musician and skilled conductor.
• An effective organizer and team builder.
• A collaborative ministry partner.
• A mentor who encourages spiritual growth among musicians and volunteers.
• Someone who values both musical excellence and congregational engagement.
To Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, résumé, and any relevant recordings, links, or supporting materials that demonstrate their musical leadership and ministry experience to our Pastor of Business Administration at lrush@ccfumc.com.
We welcome candidates who feel called to serve in a dynamic congregation committed to worship, discipleship, and community impact.
First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi, Texas is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified individuals who are passionate about using their musical gifts in service to Christ and His Church.
Reverend R. Wayne Parrish (’84)
Wayne Parrish, of Sudbury, passed away on June 9, 2026. He was born in 1946 in Richmond, Virginia. Wayne’s love language was acts of service, which shaped all of his relationships and his career as a pastor. He was constantly asking what he could do for the people around him, always putting others first. Whether a friend or a stranger in the parking lot, the needs of others guided his actions. The hole he leaves will never be filled.
Wayne was the first in his family to go to college; his father’s proudest day was dropping him off at Duke. He played in the marching band and developed a love for Duke basketball, rivaled only by his allegiance to the Red Sox. Few years went by that didn’t see Wayne in the bleachers cheering on Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez. He cried when the Sox won the World Series in 2004.
Wayne’s life was guided by a deep faith. He ran Logos bookstores in Cambridge and New York in the ‘70s and then was called to the ministry in his thirties and attended divinity school at Boston University. He found his niche as an interim minister, serving many churches in the Cincinnati Presbytery before moving back to Massachusetts and continuing his career as the Executive Presbyter of the Boston Presbytery. His creativity, compassion, and love permeated his ministry, both with his parishioners and in the community; he served as a chaplain to the Cincinnati Police Force and volunteered leading book groups at a local prison.
Wayne loved summers on the Outer Banks and Cape Cod. He was happiest at the beach, jumping the waves, digging in the sand with his grandkids, or reading a book with his feet in the surf. He was an avid reader; before having kids he routinely read over 150 books per year. Nothing made him happier or prouder than his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. He always made time for a game of catch or some one-on-one basketball, and loved nothing more than being on his knees playing with the kids. He loved holidays and celebrations—especially the decorations.
Boxes and boxes of Christmas ornaments and knick-knacks would emerge from the basement around Thanksgiving—and not disappear until after Epiphany. He was renowned for his collection of creche sets and his holiday-themed ties. No celebration was complete without music, another of Wayne’s loves. He was always humming a tune–and often conducting along with it.
He is survived by his wife Carole, children Adam and Rebecca, son-in-law Dave, grandchildren Zella and Cooper, and sisters Jo Anne and Lynn. His memorial service was Saturday, June 20, at 11:00 am at the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury, Massachusetts, 330 Concord Road. The service was live-streamed and recorded for those who could not attend via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82223148755?pwd=Aa98yPbjIH0B0VMuORhXPJVXJySb2c.1
Meeting ID: 822 2314 8755 Passcode: 631477 Phone number: 1-929-205-6099
In lieu of gifts or flowers, we are encouraging donations in his name to the Alzheimer's Association.
Dr. William F. Abel (’73)
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Perkins-Parker Funeral Home Cremation Services - Waterbury on Jun. 26, 2026.
Following a long illness, William Fritz Abel (Bill), 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Waterbury Center, Vermont, on June 19th, 2026 with his second wife, Jane Gallagher, at his side. The couple, who instantly knew they had met the love of their lives in a whirl of wild, improvisational dancing, never stopped grinning as they moved joyfully together for the duration of their 28-year love affair.
With a passion for life, Bill spent much of his free time exploring and nourishing the diversity of nature around him wherever he lived, gravitating to Vermont's mountains, woodlands and lakes in his free time throughout his adult life, ultimately retiring to the home he and Jane created there in the foothills of the Worchester Mountain Range. A dedicated supporter of the Vermont Land Trust and many other environmental organizations, Bill reveled in frog and bird song and the annual spring search for ephemeral wildflowers along Sweet Road. He was especially fond of and fascinated by the courage and daring of Chickadees and the annual journeys of Hummingbirds and Monarch Butterflies, marveling at how these tiny, delicate creatures could survive to navigate their annual pilgrimages from South America to his particular backyard flowers and bird feeder. Bill also felt a deep kinship with a majestic old Maple tree beside Stagecoach Lane while confronting the physical challenges of the cancer that eventually claimed his life. He dubbed the tree, The Mighty Maple, inspired by its remarkable life force in the face of a serious lightning strike years earlier, and went out of his way to protect and preserve it.
In the late 1960s Bill's passion for life led him to begin pouring his energy into the start of a groundbreaking career as a leader in the national movement to reintegrate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the lives of their communities. His work was instrumental in closing down institutions incarcerating such people across Massachusetts, where he first landed as a graduate student in the Boston University (BU) School of Theology, accompanied by his first wife, Paula. Choosing a career of advocacy for people with developmental disabilities as his ministry, he later earned a PHD in organizational psychology at BU in 1990. Beginning his career while still a student in the School of Theology, as a "house parent" with Paula, a graduate student in special education at the time, the couple was hired to run the first community-based residence in Massachusetts for men coming out of a nearby institution called The Fernald State School. Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed relating many humorous, heart-warming stories about his experiences with the men he had served and lived with in that residence and what he learned from his relationships with them.
After a painful break-up with his wife near the end of their time as house parents, Bill spent a year reorienting his heart and mind while living on a sailboat with a home port in the Florida keys. However, the day-to-day experiences he had had with the men in the community residence drew him back to an advocacy career in Massachusetts, where he was hired in 1975 to become the first paid employee for a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities who called themselves The South Norfolk County Association for Retarded Citizens or SNCARC (now known as the Arc of South Norfolk). His first office was in his car.
Under Bill's leadership over the next 35 years, the Arc of South Norfolk expanded significantly, adding many more services to the initial employment training program begun by the parent group. Programs such as the Harbor Counseling Center, the Family Autism Center, the Autism and Law Enforcement Education Coalition (ALEC), and Community-Based Day Supports were brought into being under Bill's leadership. He also led the growth of the organization's widening footprint to include 19 residential homes, two employment centers, and two day habilitation programs, fighting and winning a number of necessary legal battles to make those programs possible. Bill hired and mentored Dan Burke and Leo Sarkissian early in their careers, gifted leaders who continued to work closely with him. They skillfully carried on the legacy of his work after Bill's retirement in 2010, remaining valued friends until the end of his life.
Born in San Angelo, Texas, Bill spent his childhood in several places where his father's career as a chemical engineer led the young family. His mother easily found work as a librarian wherever they lived, giving birth along the way to Bill's three younger siblings. When Bill was 6, his brother Rick was born in Dayton Ohio, where the family first moved from Texas. A year and a half later his sister Kathy entered his life, following which the family moved to Tulsa Oklahoma, then Toledo Ohio, ultimately landing in Morgantown West Virginia when Bill was 14. His father's career culminated there as a government research scientist and his mother's as a medical librarian at West Virginia University. His youngest brother, Gary, was born soon after the family's final move.
Growing up, Bill was an adventurous bicycle rider, tree climber, hiker, skier and camping enthusiast, often telling stories about life in his favorite home town of Toledo Ohio, where he had been a dedicated boy scout under a troop leader who led the boys into many outdoor adventures and taught them to play the harmonica. As a standing substitute for a popular musical group called, The Harmonicats, Bill's boy scout leader landed the troop a spot on a local radio program, playing their harmonicas as part of a talent contest, something Bill never forgot, surprising his grandchildren and others with his skill on the harmonica until the year before his death. With a gifted musical ear, Bill enjoyed a wide variety of genres. He could tell you the name and composer of many classical pieces after hearing only the first few bars of music. He was also a big fan of Jazz and the Motown rock 'n roll that highlighted his teenage years.
A beloved husband, brother, stepfather, uncle, grandfather and great uncle, Bill is survived by his wife, Jane, his stepdaughters, Lilah Behrend and Clara Willliamson and their families, and his siblings, Rick Abel, Kathy McLaughlin, Gary Abel and their families.
In lieu of a funeral service or flowers Bill would have been honored to know that those who wished to honor his life instead took some time to commune with the mysterious sacredness of life in a beautiful natural setting in the same spirit in which he did as a contemplative. A financial donation to Lifeworks, National Audubon Society, or Vermont Land Trust would honor the big-hearted spirit of Bill's life, or you might choose to plant a tree in his honor.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Next Gen Youth Director, Part Time, Korean Church of the Nazarene: Reading, MA
Church Name: Korean Church of the Nazarene (https://www.bostonkcon.org/en/home)
Date: Feb 20, 2026
Reports To: Pastor Jungmo Koo
Time Requirements: Purpose: 15 hours a week
The Korean Church of the Nazarene is a multigenerational, multicultural Church that celebrates its bilingual identity. Our worship services alternate between Korean (first and third Sundays) and English (second and fourth Sundays). We are actively seeking a Next Gen Youth Director to provide discipleship ministry to our youth group, guiding young people in their spiritual growth and development. This position requires attendance at Sunday services and Saturday youth group gatherings, as well as participation in and planning of youth events throughout the year.
Areas of Responsibility
1. Discipleship
a. Administrate & evaluate every aspect of the Discipleship Ministry in conjunction with KCON Next Gen Committee (Curriculum, supplies, resources, etc)
i. Develop and implement an engaging curriculum for the youth group, providing weekly teaching during Sunday services that encourages spiritual growth and biblical understanding.
ii. Launch and lead Saturday youth group Bible study sessions, creating a consistent space for deeper scriptural exploration and fellowship.
iii. Collaborate with the children' s ministry team to assist in curriculum development, ensuring age-appropriate discipleship pathways frommchildhood through youth.
b. Facilitate weekly Sunday Youth Group Bible study to foster spiritual growth, biblical literacy, and meaningful discussion.
c. Promote Discipleship ministry within the church and work with volunteers
2. Pastoral
a. Assist the Lead Pastor in the Scope and Sequence of the church calendar, including worship planning and special events both within and outside the church walls.
b. Monitor the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of youth and children in the ministry, and promptly inform the lead pastor and church staff of any concerns or situations requiring attention.
c. Provide pastoral care and support to students and families within the Next Gen ministry, including visits and consultations as coordinated with the Lead Pastor.d. Maintain readiness to preach on Sundays when requested by the lead pastor, contingent upon obtaining a district license.
e. Other assigned duties as directed by the lead Pastor.
3. Administrative Responsibilities
a. Participate in all Next Gen team meetings and relevant cross departmental meetings to ensure alignment and coordination.
b. Collaborate with the Church office to ensure Next Gen information is accurately reflected in bulletins, announcements and digital communications.
c. Coordinate scheduling and communication for Next Gen events, activities and volunteer teams.
4. Participate
a. Expected to participate in all Youth Group and Children's Group events throughout the tenure.
b. Encouraged to participate in KCON sanctioned events throughout the year and assist wherever the lead Pastor believes is necessary.
5. Culture
a. Maintains a favorable working relationship with all other Church leaders to foster and promote a cooperative environment conducive to maximize the effectiveness of the overall ministry of the Church.
b. Promotes the culture, vision, mission and core values of the Korean Church of the Nazarene
c. Build authentic relationships with students, meeting them where they are in life and faith.
d. Partner with parents and families to support spiritual formation at home.
e. Maintain a regular Pastoral presence at students’ schools, events, and milestones to foster connection.
f. Creatively engage in community outreach that will impact students outside of the church
Personal Qualifications:
1. Have experienced a new birth in Christ and have experienced the event of entire sanctification.
2. Agree with the doctrinal statement of the church and be willing to abide by the Manual andguidelines of the Church of the Nazarene.
3. Be able to be flexible and teachable
4. Be able to communicate with all groups in the scope of their ministry.
Training and Development:
1. 2. Attend conferences and conventions for personal and ministry enrichment as agreed upon with the Lead Pastor and based upon budget guidelines.
Meet with other associates to obtain ideas which might improve the quality of ministry.3. Continue preparation towards ordination in the Church of the Nazarene as well as educational opportunities as appropriate.
Compensation
1. This position is compensated at $1,000 per month, paid on a monthly basis.
Reverend Dr. Roger W. Zimmerman (’70)
The following obituary was originally published by MassLive and can be found here.
The Reverend Dr. Roger William Zimmerman died Friday, June 5, 2026, in Newtown, CT, at the age of 88 years. Celebration of life will be Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Westfield, MA. Private inurnment will take place at Otis Center Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman was born May 22, 1938, in Hillsboro to William Keiser and Kathryn (Barkema) Zimmerman.
He grew up on the family farm near Harvel where faith and community shaped his life. Following his graduation from Raymond High School in 1956, he attended Eureka College before transferring to Stanford University where he earned a B.A. in history. He continued his education at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he received a divinity degree in 1963. That same year, he was ordained at Harvel Christian Church, beginning more than 50 years of ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
It was at Union Seminary that he met Mary Magovern, the love of his life. They were married in Agawam, MA, in 1965. From 1963 to 1965, The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman worked through the World Council of Churches with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Berlin. Following his time in Germany, he served as interim assistant minister at the American Church in Paris.
In 1970, he earned his Doctor of Theology degree from Boston University School of Theology. The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman touched countless lives through his service in the ministry. After his wife s ordination in 1975, they found great joy in serving churches together including congregations in Newton Center, MA; Alton, NH; Hyattsville, MD; Bloomington; Corvallis, OR; North Canton, OH; Louisville, KY; and Lynchburg, VA.
In 2003, The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman and his wife retired to their home on Big Pond, East Otis, MA, a place he often called Heaven on Earth. They delighted in welcoming family and friends to their home. In 2017, they moved to Reeds Landing, a retirement community in Springfield, MA, s where he continued to be active following his wife s death in 2018. In Feb. 2026, he moved to Newtown, CT, to be closer to family.
The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman had a profound faith and love for others. He was a ready source of encouragement for others and he leaves a legacy of love, compassion and kindness for family and friends alike. The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman is survived by his son, Mark (Robin) of Bedford, VA; daughters, Kathryn Zimmerman (Jeff Fligelman) of Redding, CT, and Mary Beth (John) Whittle of Louisville, KY; sister-in-law, Martha Zimmerman; five grandchildren, Meghan Zimmerman, Ben Fligelman and Jack, Kate and Anna Whittle; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents; his brother, Donald; and an infant sister, Faith Marie.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Congregation Church, 18 Broad St., Westfield, MA 01085 or Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986.
Director of Family Ministries, Full Time, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church: Williamsport, MD
Job Description
MinistryHub is honored to partner with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in their search for a Director of Family Ministries. Please direct all applications through MinistryHub and any inquiries to hello@ministryhub.org.
Are you called to help young people and families grow in faith, connection, and belonging?
Do you enjoy building relationships with students, young adults, and young families in the everyday rhythms of life?
Are you looking for a ministry role where you can grow under experienced pastoral leadership while helping strengthen the next generation of a healthy, caring church?
The Opportunity
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church is seeking a Director of Family Ministries to help lead, care for, and connect youth, young adults, and young families within the life of the church.
This is a relational, hands-on ministry role for someone who loves Jesus, loves people, and wants to help a church family continue growing in steady, healthy ways.
Saint Andrew has grown to a place where additional ministry leadership is needed, particularly with youth, young adults, and young families. The Director of Family Ministries will serve under the mentorship of the Senior Pastor and the direction of the Session, helping strengthen ministry across generations while focusing especially on students and younger families.
This role is not simply about running programs. It is about building relationships, helping people connect more deeply to the church, and ensuring youth and young families are meaningfully integrated into the broader life of Saint Andrew.
Who We Are
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church is a dynamic and growing congregation in Williamsport, Maryland. Rooted in Love, Grounded in Grace, and Growing for God, we are a church committed to helping people know Christ, care for one another, worship faithfully, serve our community, and grow as disciples.
Founded in 1961, Saint Andrew is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We are a congregation of people who trust and obey Jesus Christ and seek to carry on His mission today.
Our church is active, relational, and community-oriented. We offer ministries for youth, adults, singles, and families, and we are committed to creating a church environment where people are known by name, cared for personally, and invited into meaningful Christian community.
Primary Responsibilities
Lead and Strengthen Youth Ministry
Lead youth gatherings, Bible studies, fellowship opportunities, service experiences, and special events.
Build meaningful relationships with middle school and high school students.
Help students grow in faith, community, service, and participation in the broader life of the church.
Attend student activities when possible, including games, concerts, school events, and milestone celebrations.
Support student leadership in worship, including Youth Sundays and other opportunities for youth to serve.
Connect Young Adults and Young Families
Build relationships with young adults and young families already connected to Saint Andrew.
Help create pathways for young adults to remain engaged after high school.
Develop gatherings, studies, fellowship opportunities, and service experiences that help younger generations connect more deeply.
Listen to the needs of young families and help shape ministry opportunities that support them.
Encourage intergenerational connection across the church family.
Support Discipleship, Worship, and Pastoral Care
Coordinate educational programs and organized gatherings for youth, young adults, and young families.
Collaborate with the Senior Pastor, Director of Christian Education, staff, Session, committees, and volunteers.
Assist in worship leadership as appropriate and preach or teach occasionally as gifts and comfort level allow.
Provide spiritual and emotional care to youth, young adults, young families, and members of the congregation as appropriate.
Support local mission opportunities and help younger generations see service as part of Christian discipleship.
Serve Collaboratively Within the Church
Serve under the mentorship and direction of the Senior Pastor.
Understand and respect the Presbyterian form of government, including the role of committees, elders, deacons, and Session.
Communicate clearly and consistently so ministry is coordinated rather than siloed.
Assist with scheduling, communication, records, planning, and other administrative needs related to the role.
Bring fresh ideas while honoring the church’s culture, processes, and leadership structure.
Who Will Thrive and Succeed Here
The right candidate will be relational, spiritually mature, and eager to build trust with students, parents, young adults, young families, staff, and church members. Success in this role will come through helping youth feel known and encouraged, keeping young adults connected after high school, engaging young families more deeply in worship and discipleship, and strengthening programs through thoughtful leadership and follow-through.
This person should be creative and willing to bring new ideas while respecting Saint Andrew’s culture, leadership structure, and Presbyterian processes. They will thrive in a gracious congregation centered on Jesus, where they can receive meaningful mentorship, grow in ministry, and help younger generations become more fully integrated into the life of the church.
Qualifications
Faith, Character, and Ministry Fit
A clear and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, marked by spiritual maturity, humility, integrity, and a commitment to biblical principles.
A pastoral heart and genuine love for people, with the ability to connect Christian faith to everyday life.
Teachable, stable, and willing to receive direction, constructive feedback, and mentorship.
Education and Ministry Experience
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in theology, ministry, education, or a related field. Seminary is not required, though continued theological education is encouraged and supported.
Familiarity and some previous leadership experience in youth ministry, young adult ministry, Christian education, counseling, or similar church programming.
Theological Alignment
Openness to the theology, polity, and practices of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Interest in possible ordination, Commissioned Lay Pastor preparation, or further ministry development is welcome but not required at the outset.
Ability to serve within a church culture that values both grace and faithfulness, welcomes people warmly, and remains focused on Jesus Christ above any labels or divisions.
Leadership and Practical Skills
Clear verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with students, parents, young adults, staff, volunteers, and church members.
Strong organization, attention to detail, follow-through, and comfort collaborating with staff, committees, Session, and volunteers.
Basic technology competency, including Microsoft Office, social media, video tools, and livestream-related support.
Ability to assist with scheduling, communication, and basic recordkeeping.
Must be at least 26 years old in order to drive youth to activities. And capable of lifting up to 50 pounds for participation in youth ministry, mission activities and events.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: $42,000–$60,000, depending on experience and overall compensation structure
Benefits: Paid time off, Continuing education support, Flexible schedule that honors rest amidst the busyness of ministry seasons such as missions, retreats, and major events.
To apply for this position, please do so here: https://ministryhub.app.loxo.co/job/MTMxMjctZDJvdGZjYnYzZGpoOHc1Mg==?t=1782947570355
Additional Information
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church: https://standrewpresbyterian.org/
Application link: https://ministryhub.app.loxo.co/job/MTMxMjctZDJvdGZjYnYzZGpoOHc1Mg==?t=1782947570355
The Rev. Hyunwoong Hwang (’17) Shares his Life’s Journey to the Call of God
The following is an excerpt from AGRI VIEW's article “Barn Boards and Baling Wire” featuring alumnus The Rev. Hyunwoong Hwang ('17), published in May 2026.
What is it like to be an immigrant living 6,400 miles away from the place where you were born?
The Rev. Hyunwoong Hwang was born in 1985 in Incheon, South Korea. He’s now the pastor for three United Methodist congregations – in Waupaca, Parfreyville and Crystal Lake, Wisconsin. The congregations form “WARM” – the Waupaca Area Regional Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
Hwang said it was difficult to leave his family behind when he answered the call to come to the United States. His father is now retired after working many years in construction and later as an apartment security guard. His mother works in a retail meat shop. Hwang’s younger sister is married to a farmer on Ganghwa Island, where his mother is from. His brother-in-law cares for cattle and manages farm equipment.
Hwang said, “One of the greatest joys in our family has been the arrival of my nephew. Even from far away in Wisconsin, I delight in watching him grow through video calls and hearing stories about him. He brings joy not only to his parents and grandparents, but also to his uncle across the ocean.”
Hwang was raised in the Korean Methodist Church.
“Bethel Methodist Church in Incheon played an important role in my spiritual formation, helping me develop a love for Scripture, worship and service,” he said. “My call to ministry grew gradually through experiences of faith, service, and a growing sense that God was inviting me to accompany others on their spiritual journeys. As a teenager I loved being involved in church life, but I did not seriously consider pastoral ministry until my military service.
“Through serving in the military chapel and participating in ministry, I began to discern God’s call. That experience eventually led me to seminary.”
He said the decision to come to the United States occurred during his final year of seminary in 2013.
Prof. Karen B. Westerfield Tucker named Fellow of The Hymn Society
Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce that Professor of Worship Karen B. Westerfield Tucker has been named a Fellow of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, one of the organization's highest honors, recognizing her distinguished contributions as a scholar and teacher of congregational song. She will be formally recognized during The Hymn Society's Annual Conference at Princeton Theological Seminary on July 22, 2026. Tucker is one of four new Fellows selected by the Society's Executive Committee during its October and December 2025 meetings.
An internationally respected liturgical scholar and ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Tucker joined the Boston University School of Theology faculty in 2004 following fifteen years at Duke University. Her scholarship has shaped the study of worship, hymnody, and Methodist/Wesleyan liturgical history through an extensive body of books, articles, book chapters, and reference works. Throughout her career, she has taught seminarians and church leaders across the United States and Canada, as well as throughout Asia, the Pacific, and Europe. Her research explores North American and Methodist/Wesleyan liturgical history and theology, liturgy and pastoral care, ecumenism, and congregational song. Among her many distinctions are serving as a Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology, president of Societas Liturgica, editor-in-chief of Studia Liturgica, and as the recipient of the 2023 Berakah Award from the North American Academy of Liturgy for her distinguished contributions to the field.
BUSTH celebrates Tucker's latest recognition as a testament to her enduring impact on the scholarship and practice of Christian worship. Through decades of teaching, writing, and ecumenical leadership, she has helped deepen the understanding of congregational song as a vital expression of faith and has influenced generations of students, scholars, clergy, and church musicians.
PhD student Xiaodi Wu (’23,’28) receives 2026 Constant H. Jacquet Research Award
Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce that PhD student Xiaodi Wu ('23,'28) is a recipient of the 2026 Constant H. Jacquet Research Award from the Religious Research Association (RRA). The annual award supports outstanding research that applies social scientific methods to the study of religion, with emphasis on projects that offer practical value for religious organizations and leaders. Wu was recognized for her research project, "Dīgǔ: The Chinese Psychology of the Religiously Unaffiliated in Crisis."
Wu's PhD research focuses on the psychology of religion, psychoanalysis, positive psychology, comparative theology, migration, and the experiences of people who identify as spiritually curious, religiously unaffiliated, or as "nones." This project examines how religiously unaffiliated Chinese individuals navigate psychological and spiritual crises, contributing to a growing body of research on well-being, flourishing, and religious identity in contemporary society. The project reflects the RRA's commitment to advancing research that informs and strengthens religious practice through social scientific inquiry.
The Constant H. Jacquet Research Award encourages innovative scholarship from emerging researchers, particularly PhD students and early-career scholars, whose work bridges academic research with real-world application. Wu's recognition highlights both the strength of her interdisciplinary research and the School of Theology's commitment to advancing scholarship that addresses the complex intersections of faith, psychology, and human flourishing.
Reverend Mariama M. White-Hammond, (’17) Launches Jubilee House
This article is originally written and published by Kristen Filipic, titled "Episcopal Network Partners with AME Church to Open Community House" on The LIVING CHURCH on June 16, 2026.
A network of intentional communities connected with Episcopal parishes in the Boston area has launched a new community house in connection with an African Methodist Episcopal church. Christened Jubilee House, it received its first eight residents over Memorial Day weekend.
The idea for the house began six years ago when the Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, pastor of New Roots AME Church, did a preaching series on the concept of Jubilee. The Jubilee Year, described in Leviticus 25, was supposed to occur every fifty years. During it, all debts were to be forgiven and lands were to be restored to their original owners. During a retreat weekend, the church brainstormed how they might live out the principles of Jubilee in their community life. White-Hammond said church members were drawn to the idea of creating an intentional community house. “The Bible tells us this is what God laid out, but the children of Israel never lived it out because it’s hard. I think Jubilee House gives us a place to start living out what we are called to do,” she said.
White-Hammond connected this with a wider tradition of Black churches addressing the material needs of their communities. “Black folks, for most of our lives, we have not ever been able to trust that the safety nets that are available to everyone else would actually be available to us. There is a long history of Black people in general, and Black churches, in the business of creating housing because that is what our people needed.”
At around the same time, the Charles River Episcopal Co-Housing Endeavor (CRECHE) was having its own annual retreat. They wanted to increase their engagement with marginalized neighborhoods and communities of color, according to the executive director, the Rev. Isaac Everett. They developed a list of congregations to ask about exploring the possibility, including New Roots. When he came to his office the Monday morning after the retreat, there was an email from New Roots approaching CRECHE about creating an intentional community. “We both decided we wanted to work with each other at the same time,” Everett said.
“The depth of engagement of this community is an inspiration to people who don’t live in the house. The people living in the house have a covenant relationship with each other, and they have a relationship with the neighborhood ,and then they have a relationship with the congregation,” Werntz said. “It helps people think about their own Christian commitments.”
While CRECHE communities support the wider community, they also are supported by a wide community network. “There is a recognition that any group of people living together in intentional community are going to need support,” Werntz said. Each house has a community coach to help the community live into its covenant, a steering committee that regularly meets with the community as a whole, and one-on-one meetings with each member of the house.
The Rev. White-Hammond shared that hope as Jubilee House opened. “This kind of communal living is hard, but it’s exactly what we are called to do. Jesus always begins his ministry in relationship. We have seen an erosion of deep relationship, deep community. I think this house becomes a place for our congregation to focus its sense of deep community, both with folks living in the house and with the larger community. I hope this is just the beginning for ways that we begin to live into Jubilee. But it takes concrete places and projects and spaces for these things to become real.”